Also, not all novels in the romance genre focus on it. Another book I read criticized the male gaze big time. The protagonist didn't believe the hero would choose her, because of the male gaze - she calls him shallow. He proves her wrong..that he really isn't into it. And he's described as incredibly attractive.

Often in the romance novel genre - the FEMALE gaze takes center stage. Unlike the horror, noir, and male dominated genres, in the romance genre, the guy is hot, the woman is mousy or feels unattractive. She's the ugly duckling. When she is attractive in the novels...so is he. We don't get the fat schlub who wants a night with Eliza Dusku or a supermodel.

Example? Bridget Jones's Diary. Romance novels much like other genre run the gambit.